An unmapped reservoir of briny liquid chemically similar to sea water, but hidden under an inland Antarctic glacier, appears to support microbial life in a cold, dark, oxygen-poor environment – a most unexpected setting to be teeming with life.   This blood-red stain at the snout of Taylor Glacier in Antarctica is the by-product of unique microbes thriving in a salty ocean-like reservoir beneath the glacier. Photo credit: Peter West, NSF  The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica ... [full story]

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Apollo Moon Program struggled with a minuscule, yet formidable enemy: sticky lunar dust. Four decades later, a new study reveals that forces compelling lunar dust to cling to surfaces — ruining scientific experiments and endangering astronauts' health —change during the lunar day with the elevation of the sun.   Note the lunar dust clinging to the astronaut’s lower extremities.  The study analyzes the interactions on the Moon among electrostatic adhesive forces, ... [full story]

CENTRAL OREGON -- With temperatures predicted in the 80’s next week, several project areas on public lands identified for prescribed burning are “coming into prescription” and fuels technicians are preparing their drip torches for ignitions starting as early as Monday next week. These burns are planned on National Forest or BLM lands near the communities of Bend, Sunriver, Sisters and La Pine. The “Kiwi Pine” and “Klak” burns are 145 and 246 acres, respectively, and both ... [full story]

REDMOND, Ore. -- Come Join the FUN! What:    Camp Fire USA Central Oregon             8th Annual Dirt Diggers’ Scramble Charity Golf Challenge Where:  The Resort Course at Eagle Crest Resort, Redmond, Oregon When:    Friday, June 19, 8 a.m. shot gun start, 7 a.m. registration Cost:     $140 per person/$560 team of four to play includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, continental breakfast and barbeque lunch             $100-$1500 Sponsorship levels                            Donate a raffle/auction item ... [full story]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today adopted 2009 regulations for several marine fisheries, approved management plans for three state wildlife areas and received an update on $2.6 million in funding for federal stimulus projects. The new groundfish regulations include an increase in the recreational daily bag limit for marine fish from six to seven fish. The increased bag limit is based on a favorable stock assessment for black rockfish, the dominant ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon's Fish Screening Task Force will meet on Friday, April 24 at the Best Western Prineville Inn, 1475 NE 3rd Street in the central Oregon community of Prineville, officials announced. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the agenda includes updates on the state fish screening program, projects completed by the John Day screen shop, and efforts to reintroduce anadromous fish in the area. The meeting is open to the public, ... [full story]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Members of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Thursday toured the largest federally funded Wetland Reserve Program project on privately owned land in the Willamette Valley.   Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dan Edge (right) reviews the Willamette Valley’s largest habitat restoration project with AnneMary Myers, assistant wildlife biologist for ODFW’s South Willamette Watershed District – ODFW photo  The 580-acre parcel, located in Linn County south of Brownsville, Ore., is owned by Pat ... [full story]

The global recession will continue to drive even more Oregonians to seek state benefits to help them through the economic downturn, according to the biannual caseload forecast released by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Thursday.   Sen. Margaret Carter addresses media at Thursday’s news conference, as (l-r) Erinn Kelley-Siel (assistant DHS administrator for Children, Adults and Families Division), Bruce Goldberg and Rep. Peter Buckley listen.  The most dramatic increases in the 2009-2011 biennium will continue ... [full story]

LOS ANGELES -- A 26-year-old woman clad in camouflage fatigues was arrested for allegedly trespassing on Britney Spears's property in California a published report said. Miranda Tozier-Robbins was toting a backpack and video camera when private security guards at the Calabasas, Calif., property spotted her allegedly peeping in the singer's windows Thursday morning, Usmagazine.com reported. Spears was performing on tour and was not at home at the time of the incident. Tozier-Robbins was asked to ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- Human Rights Watch urged the investigation Thursday of U.S. Justice Department lawyers who may have been involved in approving torture. The group called for an independent investigation as President Barack Obama released four memos that provided details of the techniques used to question terrorist suspects. "President Obama said there was nothing to gain 'by laying blame for the past,'" said Stacy Sullivan, counterterrorism advisor at Human Rights Watch. "But prosecuting those responsible for ... [full story]